​The Stolen Children

the stolen generations

​The stolen generations was a significant and life-changing event for the Australian aboriginals but also revealed the true side of Australians. In this event, young aboriginal children were taken away from their families in order for the Australian plan to succeed eradicate the aboriginals and begin all white civilisation. Of course, the aboriginals would not resist the temptation of their culture and heritage of 100 000 years wash away like that. Several activists rose for their rights and freedoms including Fred Maynard, a man known for his methods and organisation to persuade the Europeans. This essay will be exploring the background events and key dates , methods used by civil rights activities , events that represent changes and continuities and lastly the significance of the event.

​During this tragic event, the Australians were not only the ones trying to persuade and achieve however eve the aboriginals. As the aboriginals families watch the police force take away their daring child, this later on caused a substantial impact on the families and surrounding communities. This quote portrays through the perspective from a stolen child, “Warren Braedon, son of dawna Braedon, named by his adopted parents Louis St. John Johnson. He never knew his name, he never knew his mother, he never knew his family, he never his people, he never knew his country. Born Alice Springs, 4th January, 1973, murdered Perth, 4th January 1992 … because he was black.”(Broken circles by Anna haebich, pg.17). This is a perfect example of how effective the Europeans seem to brainwash the child as they matured in age. Most of the stolen children did not know where they were from, as they were told when young that their parents simply did not want them. Specific individuals were really intrigued to protest, a very well-known named Fred Maynard whom was the creator of the Australian Aboriginal progressive association (AAPA). This quote highlights the intelligence of just one aboriginal individual, “He was instrumental in forming the first unified and long-lasting politically motivated and organised aboriginal movement, the Australian aboriginal Australian progressive association. He proved to be an exceptional man, an inspiring leader and spokesman, and a compassionate visionary who rose up to defend his people’s rights.”(Fight for liberty and freedom: the origins of Australian aboriginal activism, pg.1, 2). Although Fred Maynard my not have succeed highly , his contributions to his tribe are not forgotten.The aboriginals were able to succeed in parts of the events.

​The stolen generations may seem like a sad tale yet the aboriginals were able to achieve success in certain events. “The child welfare act 1939 had provided parents with right to contest the removal of their children.”(History alive, pg.103). Although the child welfare act 1939 was established, it did not solve the main issue, since most of the children’s courts were located a fair long distance from aboriginal communities( see source one). With no legal assistance provided for the parents, it was very unlikely to get their children back.Ten-THIRTY per cent of indigenous children were estimated to be forcibly taken away from their families between 1910 to 1970. The Aboriginals were sick and tired of the mistreatment by the europeans and began to protest as they were meant to , years ago.

​You may hear people call this event “the stolen children”, the “child migrants” or even the forgotten Australians however, they might have never grasped the feeling of being taken from your family(see source three). Although the Australians apologized for their mistreatment of aboriginals and Torres Strait islander people, it seemed that the apology was not from all Australians(see source two). Howard “said that millions of Australians would never entertain the notion of apologizing to Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait islander peoples because they would refuse to accept responsibility for past events.”(History alive, pg 128).After all the Australians did, they still believed that it was not their responsibility when indeed it was. Although this event did not go as accordingly , it galvanized the community around a common cause, which brought about change.

​To sum it all up, the stolen generations was probably the biggest struggle that happened to the aboriginals ,in this essay the background events and key dates , methods used by civil rights activities , events that represent changes and continuities and lastly the significance of this very event was explored. Although the aboriginals did not get what they wanted in the end, as things nowadays remain the same but the stolen generations had given them something special, unity as a community.